Directions

Crawfish and Mirliton Stuffing:

Place the miriltons in a large pot and cover with water by 1-inch. Bring to a boil and cook until a knife can be inserted easily, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain in a colander and cool. When cool enough to handle, halve the mirlitons, peel, and remove the seeds. Discard the peel and seeds and cut the flesh into 1/2-inch cubes.

While mirlitons are cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, onions, bell peppers, garlic, Essence and salt. Cook until the vegetables are very soft, give off their liquid and begin to caramelize, about 25 minutes. Add the cubed mirlitons and cook, stirring frequently, until they give off their liquid and soften, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cool slightly before adding the crawfish, butter, green onions, parsley, thyme, 1 cup bread crumbs, and eggs. Stir well to combine.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly grease an 8-cup casserole dish. Transfer the stuffing to the casserole and sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs and cheese. Drizzle with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of the olive oil, then bake until golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve. Spoon baked stuffing into center of Crown Roast before serving, if desired

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William Morrow, 1993.

Crawfish Bordelaise Sauce:

Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the crawfish tails, salt, and cayenne and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add the shallots, garlic and tomatoes and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add the wine and simmer for 4 minutes. Add the stock, parsley and green onions and simmer until slightly thick, about another 5 minutes. Add the butter and stir to combine, about 20 seconds.